Much as Mercedes-Benz would like to convince us that the B-Class is a “sports tourer,” it’s essentially an enlarged version of the European-spec A-Class hatchback. The original B250 was a goofy little thing – a rounded kidney bean with über-tall roofline, it also possessed one of the most horrible continuously variable transmissions I’d ever experienced. It’s hard to believe that such a cartoony little creature sprang from one of the Fatherland’s least humorous automakers.

But like the doe-eyed puppy clawing at your pant leg, the B250 was impossible to dislike, its cheeriness and utility almost demanding your affection.

First introduced in Europe in 2005, the B-Class arrived here in Canada later that fall. U.S. distributors took a pass on the tiny Benz, but the company took a chance that it would find favour with Canadian buyers – a gamble that paid off as it has since become one of their best-selling models in Canada. But therein lies the rub. Those who put great stock in their status symbols value exclusivity above all else. The CEO who shells out $100K on an S-Class isn’t looking for kinship with the underling who manages to swing the payments on a B250. That’s the risk that premium brands take with entry-level models – an attainable vehicle that attracts new buyers can also dilute the exclusivity that’s made the brand so desirable.

2015 Mercedes-Benz B250Lesley Wimbush /
Driving

We North Americans tend to equate success with size, and the bigger the package, the better our perception of luxury. But Europeans have no problem accepting that good things come in small packages, valuing quality over quantity. So, while it may be an entry-level vehicle for this premium automaker, the B250 isn’t exactly cheap.

My B250 4MATIC tester, at $41,950 as-tested, features plenty of the requisite technology expected from any premium offering, while offering the practical versatility of a small crossover.

Externally, the current B250 is sleeker with sharply executed sheet metal and, overall, it’s a bit more sophisticated and a lot less cute.

2015 Mercedes-Benz B250Lesley Wimbush /
Driving

Inside, the cabin benefits from the trickle-down influence of Mercedes-Benz’s larger luxury sedans. Such familiar design cues as circular vents and pedals rendered in polished metal, a thick, grippy leather-wrapped steering wheel, COMAND multimedia controller, and the iconic, door-located seat controls – are all sourced from vehicles in the Mercedes-Benz premium luxury portfolio.

Instead of the typical black leather upholstery, my B250 tester sports cheery, poppy-red Artico leather. Not only do they look great, the seats are nicely bolstered and provide plenty of support and comfort. They’re also 40 mm lower than the previous generation’s, eliminating that perched seating that helped add to the precarious top-heavy feeling.

In one of those bizarre, contradictory turns that the Germans are occasionally known for – despite their almost pathological resistance to acknowledging North Americans’ predilection for consuming coffee while driving and the subsequent decades-long reluctance to include decent cupholders in their vehicles – the B250 includes air-travel style fold-down seatback trays. Just in case your passengers need to nosh on their way to the cottage? On second thought, this being a German-engineered vehicle, they’re probably intended for work-related functions rather than catering to our unsightly lack of self-control and addiction to convenience foods.

2015 Mercedes-Benz B250Lesley Wimbush /
Driving

The rear seats fold down to expand cargo space from 488 litres to an impressive 1,547 litres. I’ve got a huge soft spot for little cars with a big sense of usefulness and during my test week, the B250’s hold accommodated luggage, a mountain bike and even a huge outdated big-screen TV – bound for a donation depot.

As far as looks and utility go, the B250 is a little like an upscale Honda Fit – assuming it was possible to option up a Fit to the tune of an extra $8,000. But aside from the long list of luxury features (including Mercedes COMAND multimedia connectivity, blind spot warning, genuine wood accents and panoramic moonroof), the B250 has a truly excellent driveline and powertrain.

Like its main competitors, the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, the B250 4MATIC boasts on-demand all-wheel drive (a $2,200 option). At only 40 kg more than the front-wheel-drive version, the all-wheel-drive B250 doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of fuel economy for its greater traction in winter driving. Operating in fuel-conserving front-wheel drive in normal conditions, the all-wheel-drive system diverts up to 50 per cent of the available torque to the rear wheels in a matter of milliseconds when any loss of grip is detected. Contributing to the 4MATIC system’s sure-footedness are electronic stability control and dynamic handling control systems that apply braking to individual wheels.

2015 Mercedes-Benz B250Lesley Wimbush /
Driving

The B250 is powered by a lovely little 2.0-litre, turbocharged four-cylinder that puts out 208 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a dual clutch, seven-speed automatic. While the DCT has the characteristic heavy reluctance to move from a standstill, it’s otherwise a really nice gearbox with crisply executed shifts. The abundance of torque and decent level of horsepower makes the B250 deceptively quick.

The driver can choose between Economy, Sport and Manual modes which change the drivetrain’s responsiveness accordingly – and using Sport combined with the paddle shifters eliminates the car’s initial hesitancy to move. The B250 also features start/stop technology, shutting the engine off instead wasting fuel while idling.

2015 Mercedes-Benz B250Lesley Wimbush /
Driving

There’s plenty of smooth, linear power for highway driving; however, the steering is disconcertingly sharp and without a stable, on-centre feel, it requires plenty of corrections during quick on-ramps and tight turns. It’s just fine for 90 per cent of the urban commuting this little car will probably be committed to, though, and it does make tight parking manoeuvres a breeze.

So who buys a car like this?

The B250 would appeal to someone who doesn’t want a premium crossover, but wants the extra interior space. Its small footprint makes it a very good urban commuter for the buyer who also insists on the cachet that the three-pointed star provides.